Kashmir enjoys enormous fame for its scenic beauty and rightly so given its luscious spread of visually appealing corners all around its territory.
It is famed for housing a good number of trekking sites around its lakes and valleys. Kashmir valley runs along the magnanimous Himalayan range which makes it a suitable route for exploring the mountains and valleys that fall along this route.
Trekking is an outdoor physical activity that requires a lot of walking which can be for a day or several days or sometimes even weeks. This adventure sport is thoroughly enjoyed and holds a quality stature among hiking or trekking enthusiasts given its rewarding result.
Treks that stretch on for days can feel extremely demanding to both the mind and body and so a little preparation goes a long way in sustaining anybody to last for the trek duration.
Kashmir offers scores of trekking sites to explore given its large coverage of mountains, valleys, glaciers, and lakes. The natural environment surrounding Kashmir provides the adventure-seeking soul with the right kind of outdoor activity to fully relish.
In this post, we will explore some of the best places for trekking in Kashmir along with their distance, duration, altitude & difficulty level.
Best places for trekking in Kashmir
The Kashmir Valley is a beautiful place to visit, and it has many places for trekking. Some of the best places for trekking in Kashmir valley are:
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Kashmir Great Lakes Trek
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Naranag Gangabal Trek
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Tarsar Marsar Trek
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Kolahoi Glacier Trek
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Tulian Lake Trek
Let’s explore each of them!
1. Kashmir Great Lakes Trek
The Kashmir Great Lakes trek is considered to be one of the most popular and beautiful treks in India. This can be credited to the fact that it offers exquisite panoramic views of a vast expanse of several lakes, valleys, alpine meadows, and glaciers.
This trekking trail is also famously dotted as “Paradise on Earth” by locals and visitors alike. The lakes that follow along with this trail have immensely added to its grandiose trait.
The campsites are equally magnificent as well. During the passage, you will be bestowed with the best picturesque views of the agrestal mountains, the glorious spread of meadows decorated with wildflowers, snow-capped mountain tops, and the illustrious alpine lakes.
The best time to trek the trail is from July to early September during the monsoon showers.
The Kashmir Great Lakes Trek may be physically challenging but it is definitely worth the effort as trekking is considered to be one of the best trekking experiences in India.
The base of the camp is 2 km before Sonamarg and the first trek begins from Ninchai pass. From then on the trail proceeds to Vishansar lake and then on to Kishansar lake – Gadsar – Satsar – Nundkol lake – Narang.
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2. Naranag Gangabal Trek
Naranag Gangabal Trek is another alluring trekking expedition that falls under the list of one of the most noteworthy treks in Kashmir.
Gangabal Lake, located in the foothills of Mt. Haramukh in the Ganderbal district, this trek is believed to be extremely captivating to both the eyes and the soul.
The Gangabal lake is one of the most beautiful lakes in the region, whereas the Naranag is renowned for its scenic meadows and an ancient gem called Lord Shiva Temple.
The trek is open most of the year but March – November is considered to be the most ideal time to walk the trek route.
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3. Tarsar Marsar Trek
The twin lakes of Tarsar Marsar have their own charm of being extremely bewitching and inviting as they host aesthetically delightful meadows, immaculate glacial lakes, pristine water bodies, and mesmerizing surroundings.
Trekking along the lakes and en route, the clear blue afternoon sky creates an almost perfect state of dream-like beauty. The calming undertone that surrounds the trail holds an exemplary note for being loved and adored by all trekkers and visitors alike.
The monsoon season of July – August is relatively the best time to enjoy the trek. Despite its duration, the route is pretty undemanding and so it can prove to be both tranquil to the body and the soul.
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4. Kolahoi Glacier Trek
The Kolahoi Glacier, usually referred to as the “Goddess of Light”, is a landmark valley glacier also iconic for being the highest glacier in Kashmir.
Nestled below the Kolahoi mountain and above the Lidder valley, the 5 Km hanging glacier is truly magnificent in its own way. The trek takes you through the most riveting views of Kashmir valley.
The journey along the trek will help you capture the true essence of the Himalayan valleys. The trek also provides an illustrious view of the sprawling green meadows, endearing waterfalls, and spellbinding coniferous forests.
The trek route through lengthy can be said to be easy to moderate on a scale and hence fairly feasible to the body. The best time to experience the trek is from March – October.
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5. Tulian Lake Trek
Tulian Lake is a beautiful lake in Kashmir, India. It is situated in the Tulian Valley at an altitude of 12,086 feet.
The lake is surrounded by towering peaks and snow-capped mountains, which makes it a perfect destination for trekkers and nature lovers alike.
The Tulian Lake Trek is one of the most popular treks in Kashmir. It takes about 6 days to complete this trek which covers around 10 miles each day and can be done by anyone with a moderate level of fitness.
The trail starts from the village of Tulian from where you will have to climb up to the height of 12,000 feet before descending down to the lake. The trail passes through meadows and forests on way toward Tulian Lake.
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FAQs
1. Is Kashmir safe for trekking?
Trekking in Kashmir is absolutely safe. There are, however, some treks that can be more challenging than others.
2. Which place is best for trekking in Kashmir?
Some of the best trekking routes in Kashmir are Kashmir Great Lakes Trek, Naranag Gangabal Trek, Tarsar Marsar Trek & Kolahoi Glacier Trek.
3. Which is the easiest trek in Kashmir?
Some of the beginner-friendly treks include Naranag Gangabal Trek & Sonmarg Vishansar Naranag Trek.
4. Which is the toughest trek in Kashmir?
Some of the challenging treks in Kashmir are Sonamarg Vishanshar Bandipora trek.
5. What is the best time for Kashmir Great Lakes Trek?
The best time for trekking in Kashmir Great Lakes Trek is between July to September.
6. How long is the Kashmir Great Lakes trek?
The Kashmir Great Lakes trek is about 65 kilometers long & can be easily covered in 6 to 7 days.
7. Can Kashmir Great Lakes trek be done solo?
The Kashmir Great Lakes trek is a very difficult trek, so we do not recommend that you do it solo. If you are planning to do the trek solo, please make sure you are experienced in trekking and have all the necessary equipment with you.
8. What is the difficulty level of the Naranag Gangabal trek?
Naranag Gangabal trek is a moderate to difficult level trek.
9. Which is the most beautiful trek in Kashmir?
There is no definitive answer to this question as beauty is subjective. Some of the more popular treks in Kashmir include the Amarnath Yatra, Chadar Trek, and Kishtwar National Park Trek.
10. What is the best time for trekking in Kashmir?
The best time for trekking in Kashmir is from late May to early October.
11. Is trekking in Kashmir physically demanding?
Trekking in Kashmir can be physically demanding, depending on the difficulty of the trek. Some treks may require long days of hiking, while others may be more challenging with steeper terrain. It is important to be prepared for the difficulty of the trek you choose.
Final Words
The air around trekking in Kashmir has a distinguished aura about it. This can well be attributed to the enticing beauty that the area encompasses.
Trekking in Kashmir offers a great deal or more to trekkers in terms of beauty, serenity, and an experience that heals both the body and the soul. Most of the treks take up to days and sometimes weeks but regardless, the reviews garnered have been nothing but positive.
The enlightening experience that trek trails in Kashmir provide is unsurpassed and thus, it continues to be a source of much inspiration for more people to come and convene in this activity that offers an almost heavenly encounter.
Despite the rigorous amount of strength that is required for lengthy trekking, it is always at the end of the trek that you can fully appreciate the effort and the determination that was poured in to complete the trail.
The treks will definitely test your limits and challenge you on a daily basis but they will also help rejuvenate your spirit and rest assured will surely be one of the most enthralling treks by a long margin.
With the right equipment, proper preparation, and fitting guides, the trekking route in Kashmir has nothing but the absolute best that nature can confer.
